Chapter 7

“Tina I am sorry I don’t remember our life together.  I had hoped that seeing you would bring it all back to me.  I have had dreams that I wonder if they are flashbacks since you and Angie are in them.”  Bette’s tears began to fall as she realized she still didn’t really know who she was.

Tina reached out and wiped her tears away and enfolded Bette in her warm embrace.  “Bette, shhh.  It’s all right.  I had hoped you might remember too but what matters is that we have found one another.  In the past, we have learned that together we can get through anything and I know that together we will get through this as well.”

“Hey, I brought a few of our photo albums.  Would you like to look at one of those and then we can talk about it?  Do you think that would help?  Maybe you will see some of your dreams in these photos.”

The smile that lit Bette’s face melted Tina’s heart.  “Yes!  I would love to look at those photo albums with you.  Thank you for bringing them.”

Tina leaned over and kissed Bette before getting up.  She went to her travel bag and pulled out 3 large photo albums.  She walked back over to the couch and handed them to Bette.  “I am going to fix us something light to eat from the tray of meats Peggy had prepared.  Why don’t you start looking at the one marked “Angie’s baby book” first.  When I come back we can talk about it and I will tell you all about our precious daughter.”

Bette took the book and cautiously ran her hand over the top before slowly opening the album to see Angie’s picture taken just hours after she was born.  Carmen had taken the picture of Bette holding Angie in the rocker.  The look on Bette’s face was pure joy. 

Tina came back with sandwiches and water.  She sat the tray down and just smiled at the picture Bette was looking at.  “That is your first picture with Angie.  That is the day she was born.  I had to stay in recovery longer due to complications during the birth.  So you got to bond with her before I did.  You two have always had this special bond and even though I am her birth mother…she is so your daughter. When you two team up against me I am a goner.”  Bette looked up and just grinned.